An experimental Dons line-up went down 2-0 to Horsham YMCA, though there were several positives to take from the second-half performance. The 3-5-2 formation was retained, with youngster Sam Elliott partnered at the back by two trialists, Stewart Ritchie and Joe Clark.

Paul Smith was off his line well to claim in the first minute, with Bolger going close almost immediately at the other end. He then hit the woodwork and Lewis Taylor went close, while Horsham spurned a good opportunity firing wide of the near post from close range.

On 24 minutes the home side took the lead from the spot. Ex-Don Ally Russell played a chipped through ball and Smith ran out and brought the striker down. The Horsham number seven slotted the kick home to the keeper?s right.

After that Bamfo had two good chances, forcing one good save and dragging the other wide after a mazy run. At the other end, a slip by Ritchie let the attacker free but he blazed well over to leave the score 1-0 at half-time.

In the second half, Richard Butler returned from holiday to partner Bamfo up front, with Ken During on at the back. The Dons dominated the second period but were unable to find a way through. First Bolger drove just over, then Graham fizzed a free-kick onto the crossbar and the keeper came out well to deny Butler. Bamfo was crudely upended on the edge of the box after being pushed over, but somehow saw the freekick given against him.

A further poor challenge saw Lewis Taylor crudely upended, but the referee took no action against the culprit. Despite being in some discomfort, he sent a curling effort onto the crossbar before eventually limping off, to be replaced by Marc Skinner, who himself eventually limped out of the fray as well.

Jamie Taylor returned as the Dons tried to claw back level, but despite a couple of corners and further opportunities it was not to be, and it was Horsham who completed the scoring, as a diagonal through ball was steered home at the back post by an unmarked attacker, giving Smith no chance.